Latent-heat engine.



v Patented lune I8, I90I. 0. P. USTEBGREN.

LATENT HEAT ENGINE.

(Application led Mar. 31, 1900.)

2 Sheets ShaeII I.

(No Model.)

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No. 676,3ou. Patented :une la, |901. o. P. nsTERGnEN.

LATENT HEAT ENGINE.

(Application led Mar. 31, 1909.)

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(nu Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

OSCAR P. OSTERGREN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE OSTERGREN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEV JERSEY.

LATENT-HEAT ENGINE.

SEEGIFICATION forming peut of Letters Patent N o. 676,800, dated June 18, 1901. Application lecl March 31, 1900. Serial No. 10,943. (No model.)

To all whom, it may con/cern:

Beit known that I, OSCAR P. OSTERGREN, a subject of the King of Sweden, and a resident of Bedford Park, borough of Bronx, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latent-Heat Engines, of which the following is aspeciiication.

My invention consists of means whereby compressed air and steam may be used in zo combination for motive power in a way to utilize the latent hea-tof the steam in effective work. Hence I call it a latent-heat engine.

Various contrivances of apparatus maybe employed for carrying out the invention.

The form of apparatus that I have chosen for illustration in the present case is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l. is mainly a sectional elevation of 2o the apparatus, but some of the parts are represented in side view. Fig. 2 is a detail in section in the line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is the same View of the air-pump and pressure-regulating valve as in Fig. l, but enlarged for greater clearness. Fig. 4t is a detail consistingof a Vertical section through the boiler to show the pipe connections more clearly. Fig. 5 is a detail consisting of a vertical section of the upper portion of the preheater 3o and condenser to show the connection of the exhaust-pipe of the motor-engine.

The basis of the apparatus is a steam-generator, motorengine, and compressed-air heater, aircompressor, steam condenser,

mixer of the air and steam and preferably a superheater. The steam -generator, airmixer, and superheater may of course be constructed in various ways; but the most desirable form at present developed consists 4o of the A-shaped boiler comprising the basedrums ct, steam-drum b, two sets of inclined water-tubes c, respectively connected at their lower ends in the drums ct and at their upper ends connected into the steam-drum b, two

other sets of inclined water-tubes d, also connected at their lower ends into the drums a' and at their upper ends connected into the' steam-drum Z2, also then two series of horizontal superheating-tubes 'e intermediate of the 5o tubes c CZ of each side, respectively, and also the coil of air-heating tubes fin the steamdrum. The tubes c of the inner rows are placed close together to form a bafding-Wallv against the hot gases from the fire-grate 2 upward nearly to the steam-drum, where the alternate tubes of said row are deliected inward,as represented at 3,for passages through said wall, and the inner rows of said tubes c are more openly disposed for downward passage and fordrect impingement of the gases 6o on tubes c, and the outer tubes d are also separated for upward passages. Alternate tubes of the inner rows of series c are also deflected inward at the bottom 4 to facilitate connection with thedrums. Feed-water is injected into the drums a at g and circulates upwardly through the tubes c into the steamdrum and downwardly through tubes d. The steampipe t takes steam away from the boiler directly, and pipe t' takes combined 7o steam and air from the superheating-tubes c, the compressed air being supplied thereto from the pipe j through the coil f in steamdrum b, and thence into tubes e, and steam enters coil f from the steam-dome 7c at Z. 75

The motor-engine is in this case a tandem compound comprising the high-pressure jacketed cylinder m and the low-pressure cylinder n, also jacketed, with an air-compressing lcylinder o and piston directly connected on 8o the same piston-rod. l

A reheater for the exhaust-vapor trom the high-presen re cylinder m is provided at q for heating said exhaust by live steam from the boiler before entering the low-pressure cylinder, which consists of the hollow cylinder s, receiving the exhaust from cylinder m through pipe t and containing the live-steamreceving head u at one end and a multitude of tubes o, discharging from said head into 9o the collecting-chamber 1U' at the other end, from which the steam enters the jacket a: of cylinder n. The jacket y of cylinder m is in connection with the steam pipe 7i by the branch e for heating it by steam directly from '95 the steam-drum. The water of condensation in the jackets is returned as feed-water to the boiler by one of the injectors g.

For combining compressed air with steam as a means of utilizingthe latent heat of the roo steam for useful work, as before stated, an air-compressor is employed and with it a heater for the compressed air for preheating the air by the .exhaust-vapor of the motorengine intermediately of the compressor and the boiler. Any form of compressor may be used, but the one herein represented comprises the compressing-cylinder o, before mentioned, and a pair of coolers forming part of the compressingapparatus as follows, said coolers consisting of the hollow cylinders 5, set upright on the funnel-mouths 6 of the'cylininder-ports, respectively, and each containing a multitude of tubes 7, communicating with a collecting-chamber 8 in the upper end of said cylinder, into which the air is received through suction-pipe 9 and valve 10: Vater packing is employed in the cylinder and coolers in such quantity in each that the air will be forced out through the eductionvalves 11 alternately on its way to the preheater as the piston arrives at the ends of its strokes, respectively. Cooling-water admitted through a supply-pipe 12 and discharged through pipe 15 circulates through the cylinders 5 around the tubes 7 for cooling the air to facilitate compression. A pipe 13 connects with the supply-pipe for cooling-Water and with the funnels 6 of the coolers to replenish the supply of packing-water from ltime to time as itmay'be reduced by absorption by the air. Said pipe is controlled by a cock 14. This forni of compressor is particularly favorable for use as an element of my improved engine because of the isothermal distribution by the water packing of the heat generated by the compressiomwhereby higher efeiency is obtained both in compressing and cooling. It is desirable to maintain a certain limit of pressure on the suction side of the compressor, and a' feed-pump 16 is connected with the suction-pipe 9 of the compressor for charging it to begin with and for replenishing the supply of air from time to time as waste may occur at the petcocks of the motor-engine and by blowingoff through the safety-valve. The pump receives the air through suction-valve 18 and discharges it into the suction-pipe 9 of the compressor through eduction-valve 18 and pipe 19, and to prevent overpressure a reliefvalve 2O is attached to the pipe 19, which is controlled by a spring 21, provided with an adjusting-screw 22, which may be set for escape of pressure above any predetermined point. In this case the waste side of the relief-valve is represented as connected into the suction side of the pump; but the effect would be practically the same without such connection, except there would be some waste of heat energy, which is now returned to the compressor.` Most of the air to be compressed -will, however, be recovered from the preheater, into which the exhaust of combined air and steam from the low-pressure cylinder is discharged through pipe 23, this air being drawn by the suction of the compressorpump o through pipe 35 into suction-pipe 9, said pipe 35 being suitably connected with the preheater.

The preheater consists of the upright hollow cylinder 24, having an enlargement of the lower end for a hot-well 25 and containing in the upper part of said hot-well a receivingchamber 26 for reception of the compressed air through discharge-pipe 27 of the compressor. The receiving-chamber 26 is connected with a collectingchamber 28 in the upper part of cylinder 24C by a multitude of tubes 29, through which the compressed air passes and which are surrounded by the exhaust from cylinder n, which enters at 30, near the upper end of cylinder 24, passing downward along the tubes in the opposite direction of the ascending air in the tubes. The cold air from the cooler condenses the steam, which gives up most of its heat, especiallythelatent heat, to the air and falls into the hot-well 25 as water, from which it is returned to the boiler as feed-water by one of the injectors g. Some heatis also contributed by the hot air combined with and exhausting with the steam. The air thus compressed and then heated being in a gaseous state expands in due proportion for every increment of heat absorbed, and thus converts the latent heat of the steam into power without any loss, while water either preheated or heated in the boiler must first be supplied with its enormous proportion of lat-ent heat before being endowed with effective power, the latent heat going to waste without contributing eifective force. The air thus heated enters the superheating-coil fthrough pipe j, in which is a check valve 3l, preventing backiiow, and steam enters along with the airfissuing from coilf at 40, and they enter the superheaters e together through branches 41 and mix therein.

When starting the engine, live steam from the pipe h is first admitted to cylinder m through valve 32 in a connecting-passage between steam-pipe 71. and the combined steam and air pipe 1'., valve 33 in the latter pipe being closed. This serves to operate the engine until a sufficient amount of airis accumulated in the system by means of the feed-pump 16 and compressor for the proper working of the engine, backflow from the boiler being in the meantime prevented by the check-valve 31. When air-pressure has accumulated sufficiently in the compressor and preheater to pass cheek-valve 31 into the generator, valve 32 is to be closed and valve 33 opened for the regular operation of the engine. Valve 34, admitting live steam into the preheater q and the steam-jackets of the cylinders, may be opened to begin with. The air after being compressed isothermally will first absorb all available heat from the exhaust-vapors and will then in passing through the tubes f in the steam-drum rise to the temperature of the surrounding steam and therefrom will branch out along with the steam entering from the IOO IIO

steam-drum through pipe l into the two systems of superheating-tubes e, Where the steam and air will be more thoroughly mixed and superheated for greater eiiiciency before entering the motor-engine.

Whatever waste of heat there is in this engine is what is carried away in the coolingwater of the compressor in preparing the compressed air to take up the heat of the exhaust-vapors, no part of which is wasted, provided the preheater be properly insulated, and which,incl u ding the latent heat, is largely in excess of that expended in the coolingwater and manifestly greater than the power expended in compressing the air.

Good results may be had without the superheater in the steam-generator, and the invention is not therefore limited to the use of it; but greater efficiency is obtained by the use of it; nor is the invention limited to the use of a reheater intermediateof the high and low pressure cylinders ofthe motonengine.

To replenish the feed-water, of which there will be some Waste at the petcoeks and the safety-valve, an excess of water may be introduced into the water packing of the compressor to be forced along with the air through the preheater into the boiler, or one of the injector-pipes may have a branch connection with a supply-tank to be turned on from time to time, as is usual in all condensingLengines.

Vhat I claim as my invention is l. In a latent-heat engine, the combination of a steam-generator, a motor-engine, an air compressor and cooler, a pre-air-heater and steam-oondenser intermediate of the motorengine and compressor ou the one part, and the generator on the other part, and means `for introducing and mixing the air with the steam in the generator preparatory for use in the motor-engine.

2. In a latent-heat engine, the combination of a steam-generator, a motor-engine, an isothermal air compressor and cooler, a pre-airheater and steam-condenser intermediate of the motor-engine and compressor on the one part, and the. generator on the otherpart, and means for introducing and mixing the air with the steam in the generator preparatory for use in the motor-engine.

3. In a latent-heat engine, the combination of a steam-generator, a motor-engine, an air compressor and cooler, a pre-air-heater and steam-condenser intermediate of the motorengine and compressor on the one part, and the generator on the other part, means for introducing and mixing the air with the steam in the generator, and a superheater for the mixed air and steam.

4. In a latent-heat engine, the combination of a steam-generator, a motor-engine, an air compressor and cooler, a pre-air-heater and steam-condenser intermediate of the motorengine and compressor on the one part, and the generator on the other part, means for introducing and mixing the air with the steam in the generator, a superheater for the mixed air and steam, the pump for the compressor and cooler, and means for start-ing the motorengine by steam in advance of the supply of mixed air and steam.

5. In a latent-heat engine, the combination of a steam-generator, a motor-engine, an air compressor and cooler, a pre-air-heater and steam-condenser intermediate of the motorengine and compressor on the one part, and the generator on the other part, and the airheating coil in the steam-drum of the generator.

6. In a latent-heat engine, the combination of a steam-generator, a motor-engine, an air compressor and cooler, a pre-air-heater and steam-condenser intermediate of the motor and compressor and cooler on thev one part, and the generator on the other part, air-heating coil in the steam-drum of the generator, and the air and steam superheating coils in the steam-generator.

7. In a latent-heat engine, the combination of a steamgenerator, a motor-engine, an air compressor and cooler, a pre-airheater and steam-condenser intermediate of the motorengine and compressor on the one part, and the generator on the other part, a hot-well connected with the preheater, means for introducing the air and mixing it with the steam in the generator, and means for feeding the water of the hot-well into the generator.

S. The combination of an engine and boiler, a source of relatively cool compressed air and a condenser having independent passages through one of which passes the engineexhaust and through the other of which the compressed air passes on its way to the boiler in such a manner as to exchange temperatures and condense the exhaust-steam, Whereby the said air serves as a vehicle to return the latent heat given out by the condensation to the boiler.

Signed by me at New York this 28th day of March, 1900.

, OSCAR I). OSTERGIREN,

Witnesses:

A. P. THAYER, C. Snncwrox.

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